Pikes Peak Media Alliance
The Problem
But powerful corporations found other ways to use our public airwaves; for Profit instead of Progress. And Control instead of Empowerment.
What’s missing in mainstream media? ….. Just about everything important! REAL NEWS gets swept to the side to make way for sensational sex-teasers. The Star Player’s rape trial trumps millions of Laid-Off Workers. Reporting of Corruption in Government and Business yields to coverage of another murder trial. Children’s programming morphs into commercial exploitation.
What’s worse, on the local level, where station consolidation eliminates jobs and community connections, all that’s left is an unmanned warehouse pumping out “local stories” from a thousand miles away.
Cable Franchises promise limitless channel potential, but offer limited repeats of the same old junk.
And throughout the mix, the hand of the corporate masters steer to avoid challenge to their control.
The Solution
Pikes Peak Media Alliance Goals:
-Advocate fair representation of alternative news programming in local media.
-Educate and inform the public about alternative media and fairness and accuracy in broadcasting.
-Develop local media programs that cover viewpoints and events which currently go unreported.
-Broadcast alternative programming by way of local cable access channels, low-power radio and/or Web-casting.
-Secure a local FM radio station to serve the alternative needs of the Pikes Peak Region.
I am contacting you because of your activities with the Pikes Peak Media Alliance. I am researching the various components needed to put a low-power FM radio station on the air. I recognize that KRCC, although a non-commercial community radio outlet, has more watts of power, and is broadcasting to a larger audience than does LP-FM. I also have been a Pacifica supporter for a number of years.
The community volunteers that help at your station must, at some time, wonder if they can operate their own station, possibly in another location. I am searching the internet for the site where those unaffiliated groups typically congregate, to initiate their project. Some may be looking for information guidelines and support. I understand this unaffiliated convergence may sound like a contradiction, and no site exists.
I am trying to compile an LP-FM handbook covering the FCC documentation, correct scale radio equipment, and typical program outline for “micro-broadcasting.” This information should be helpful to those educational/religious, state/municipal, and historical/preservation groups who are authorized by the FCC to operate low-power stations.
I will initially present the handbook idea to faculty and graduate students of the California State University School of Communication, on the Fullerton campus. But, if it is feasible, I would share it on the internet to any who are curious. I feel that the empowerment and immediacy of local radio can be a tool for those considered “disenfranchised;” remote communities that are disconnected from the normal political power centers. As you well understand, civic participation and education can be fostered through this interactive medium. Local radio and peer education may be the most credible source. Just as your media alliance comes together, so too can the “100 watters” who speak through groups like the Prometheus Radio Project, and nascent media alliances.
Any information you may have regarding where I may find these interested groups will, of course, be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Ken Ryan